CEO Derek Jeter makes first major Marlins hire

CAPTION

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly discusses right-hander Dan Straily, who expressed a willingness to be a part of the team's rebuild and who was the team's most consistent starter, beginning to end, in 2017. "Dan was really what we thought we were getting, a guy who was consistent, prepared. He's an innings eater," Mattingly said. "He's a guy who has made every start. He's a guy who has been durable. We're going to need some guys like that to lead our staff."

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly discusses right-hander Dan Straily, who expressed a willingness to be a part of the team's rebuild and who was the team's most consistent starter, beginning to end, in 2017. "Dan was really what we thought we were getting, a guy who was consistent, prepared. He's an innings eater," Mattingly said. "He's a guy who has made every start. He's a guy who has been durable. We're going to need some guys like that to lead our staff."

CAPTION

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly discusses right-hander Dan Straily, who expressed a willingness to be a part of the team's rebuild and who was the team's most consistent starter, beginning to end, in 2017. "Dan was really what we thought we were getting, a guy who was consistent, prepared. He's an innings eater," Mattingly said. "He's a guy who has made every start. He's a guy who has been durable. We're going to need some guys like that to lead our staff."

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly discusses right-hander Dan Straily, who expressed a willingness to be a part of the team's rebuild and who was the team's most consistent starter, beginning to end, in 2017. "Dan was really what we thought we were getting, a guy who was consistent, prepared. He's an innings eater," Mattingly said. "He's a guy who has made every start. He's a guy who has been durable. We're going to need some guys like that to lead our staff."

CAPTION

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly discusses what it's like for players to go to salary arbitration, a process he took part in once, against the Yankees in 1987. "At the end of the day, I looked at it like you can’t really lose," Mattingly said. "Usually when you get to that point you’re getting a pretty good jump."

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly discusses what it's like for players to go to salary arbitration, a process he took part in once, against the Yankees in 1987. "At the end of the day, I looked at it like you can’t really lose," Mattingly said. "Usually when you get to that point you’re getting a pretty good jump."

Denbo, 56, will oversee the Marlins’ player development and scouting departments, though his exact title — vice president, as one source suggested, or director, as multiple reports said — is unclear. With the Yankees, Denbo was vice president of player development, overseeing a farm system widely seen as one of the best in baseball.

The move is a major one for Jeter, who officially took over last week as the Marlins’ chief executive and is expected to make several higher-up front-office additions following the dismissal of four baseball-operations vice presidents.

“We do have to rebuild the organization. It starts with player development, scouting,” Jeter said. “We have to be strong in those areas, because if you’re going to have a sustainable organization over time, you need that pipeline of young players that can come in.”

Denbo’s new role is similar to the one former team executive Jim Fleming had through 2011. It’s not clear what Denbo’s hiring means for Stan Meek, the Marlins’ vice president of scouting whose contract is up.

Derek Jeter has a plan, but he’s not ready to tell you what it is yet.

Jeter, the Miami Marlins’ new CEO, and Bruce Sherman, the chairman/principal owner, stressed that fans are “our No. 1 priority” and preached patience when it comes to turning the Marlins around, repeatedly noting their desire...

Derek Jeter has a plan, but he’s not ready to tell you what it is yet.

Jeter, the Miami Marlins’ new CEO, and Bruce Sherman, the chairman/principal owner, stressed that fans are “our No. 1 priority” and preached patience when it comes to turning the Marlins around, repeatedly noting their desire...

(Tim Healey)

The relationship between Jeter and Denbo dates back to Jeter’s minor league days in the early 1990s, when Denbo was a coach in the Yankees’ minor league system.

Since 1990, Denbo has had three stints and many roles with the Yankees, including major league hitting coach (in 2001), hitting coordinator (about a decade ago) and vice president of player development (since October 2014). In between, he also worked as a pro scout for the Cleveland Indians and as a hitting coach in Japan and for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Promoted to run the Yankees’ farm system three years ago, Denbo helped it transform from perennially empty to among the best in the game. That drastic improvement was aided by the trades of several veteran major leaguers a little over a year ago, a path similar to the one the rebuilding Marlins could follow this offseason.

Miami Marlins CEO Derek Jeter and chairman/principal owner Bruce Sherman held an introductory news conference Tuesday at Marlins Park. To read about the Marlins’ big day, click here. To read about how Jeter and Sherman became partners and other tidbits from the day, click here. To read Dave Hyde’s...

Miami Marlins CEO Derek Jeter and chairman/principal owner Bruce Sherman held an introductory news conference Tuesday at Marlins Park. To read about the Marlins’ big day, click here. To read about how Jeter and Sherman became partners and other tidbits from the day, click here. To read Dave Hyde’s...

(Tim Healey)

Denbo helped a slumping, injured Jeter with his swing in 2011. Jeter said at the time that Denbo “probably knows me more than most.”

Most recently, Jeter has helped Denbo in recent years with the Yankees’ annual Captain’s Camp, a pre-spring training program meant to aid the development of the organization’s top prospects.

In April, when it first appeared Jeter’s group was close to buying the Marlins, Denbo raved to NJ.com about Jeter as a team owner.

“Derek has an excellent chance at being a successful owner because he possesses the qualities necessary to lead," Denbo said.

"He is a man of high integrity, treats people with respect, builds great relationships, communicates effectively and is committed to excellence. … His reputation as a winner will attract top-notch talent to his organization.”